it's important for a lot of reasons, but one of those reasons is the potential for energy, energy to really free western europe from other alternative sources that may not be right for them all right for the world. and that it is not in certain countries best interest, iran, russia, come to light for the pipeline to go through, to bring those natural energies, oil and gas resources to parts of the world that would like to have an alternative source. and i think it is important for congress to keep an eye on this region, and to make sure that the ability that is in place continues and that these emerging markets are allowed to continue to grow and prosper. because i truly believe that they are a bright spot in the world's future. i yield back. >> thank you very much. ariel cohen is the leading expert in russia, eurasia, eastern europe and the middle east. he serves as a senior research fellow in russian and eurasian studies and international energy policy at the heritage foundation and we're glad to have you. thank you very much. michael rubin is a resident scholar at the american ent